Phoenixville cancer center expansion under way

PHOENIXVILLE — Area officials and hospital personnel turned out for a ceremonial ground-breaking of the expansion to Phoenixville Hospital’s cancer center.

The expansion will house a new piece of equipment that will enhance the hospital’s ability to treat cancer patients.

“It’s a state-of-the-art linear accelerator,” said the hospital’s CEO, Steve Tullman. “You can’t get more advanced than that.”

According to Dr. Et-Tsu Chen, medical director of Radiation and Oncology, the Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator will increase the accuracy and precision with which doctors can target tumors in radiation therapy.

Although she said there might be “growing pains” with the new equipment, she expressed excitement for the future.

“I’m really proud to be at this point,” Chen said. “We have a great machine that is able to bring modern technology to treat patients.”

Tullman said the foundation was instrumental in bringing about the expansion, as well as Borough Manager E. Jean Krack, who was also present.

Council members Dave Gautreau and Mike Speck were in the hard-hatted crowd at the construction site as well.

“It really has been remarkable growth,” said Dr. Christopher Holroyde, director of Phoenixville’s cancer center. “We are approaching the top of the mountain.”

Bringing in the new machine will enable more patients to get their care close to home as opposed to traveling to Philadelphia, hospital officials said.

“This is the most advanced thing you’ll find in a community center,” Tullman said.

The expansion, which will exceed $7 million in costs for construction, equipment and maintenance, is slated to be finished in either July or August this year, according to Mike Kelly, the hospital’s director of operations.

IMC Construction was contracted for the project and has already begun significant work at the site. The company’s president, Robert Cottone, was also on hand for the ceremony.

Phoenixville’s cancer center is a partner in the Penn Cancer Network, run by the University of Pennsylvania.

Both Chen and Holroyde are Penn doctors and Chen sees the expansion as an opportunity beyond better treatment.